Jaya is a PhD candidate in the Fluid Interfaces group in the MIT Media Lab. Jaya works with machine learning and human-centered design for applications in assistive technology and health, with a focus on personalized technologies developed and real-world data collection.  Jaya’s doctoral research is focused on creating novel augmentative technologies for communication by developing a better understanding of non-traditional vocal communication.  Jaya has developed personalized machine learning models to classify the meaning of nonverbal vocalizations from individuals who do not communicate using typical verbal language, as well as novel research protocols, datasets, and mobile applications with this population. Jaya also co-founded MIT ATHack in 2014, a co-design based assistive technologies hackathon, and has since co-directed the program.​

Contact: jnarain@mit.edu